20 Jul 2026
The Government has confirmed the next phase of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), setting out decisions on new unitary authority arrangements across 14 areas in England.
The announcement affects a number of Rural Services Network member authorities and marks the next stage in the Government’s plans to replace two-tier council structures with unitary councils.
Implementation will now take place over the coming years, with new arrangements expected to come into effect from 2028.
The RSN recognises that these changes will have different implications for individual councils and communities. Throughout this period of transition, we will continue to support our members and champion the needs of the rural communities they represent.
Structural change alone cannot address the additional costs of delivering services across rural communities. Whatever the future shape of local government, fair funding and effective rural proofing remain essential to ensuring rural councils can deliver the high-quality services their communities need.
